HUNDREDS of people lined the banks of the River Dee in Chester to watch the 42nd Rotary Raft Race.

Some 30 decorated rafts with their intrepid paddlers took to the water from the Meadows to battle it out to the finishing line in the Groves just above the weir.

The popular event is renowned for some outstanding raft creations – and this year was no exception.

It raised money for the local branches of the National Autistic Society and SSAFA the armed forces charity, together with other charities of the Rotary Club of Chester.

Main sponsorship was provided again by Survitec and, also supporting the event, were SP Energy Networks, Urenco Capenhurst, ASH Skips and Hurst’s Bakery.

There were prizes for the overall quickest crew to finish with other awards to the fastest men’s, ladies and pub rafts as well as the best representation of the race theme, which was ‘Power on the Water’.